The ranking below is based on the percentage of schools within a town or city which have placed in the top 10% of all schools statewide.
A school's overall rank is based on its combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking. Schools are ranked and compared within their own state only.
Statewide Range: 21%
67%
Avg. Statewide: 40%
Top-Ranked Cities With Best Public Schools in Arizona (2026)
City
% of Schools in
Top 10% Statewide
Top 10% Statewide
Top-Ranked Schools
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
(Math Proficiency % | Reading Proficiency %)
Rank: #11.
67%
(4 out of 6)
(4 out of 6)
Rank: #22.
56%
(5 out of 9)
(5 out of 9)
- Horseshoe Trails Elementary School
Rank: #210 of 1,921 (Top 5%)
(Math: 70% | Reading: 69%) - Lone Mountain Elementary School
Rank: #279 of 1,921 (Top 10%)
(Math: 65% | Reading: 67%) - Cactus Shadows High School
Rank: #332 of 1,921 (Top 10%)
(Math: 57% | Reading: 71%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Cave Creek, AZ Schools
Rank: #33.
38%
(19 out of 50)
(19 out of 50)
- Basis Scottsdale
Rank: #28 of 1,921 (Top 1%)
(Math: 86% | Reading: 84%) - Basis Scottsdale Primary - East Campus
Rank: #42 of 1,921 (Top 5%)
(Math: 81% | Reading: 86%) - Basis Scottsdale Primary - West Campus
Rank: #49 of 1,921 (Top 5%)
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Scottsdale, AZ Schools
Rank: #44.
36%
(5 out of 14)
(5 out of 14)
- Senita Valley Elementary School
Rank: #63 of 1,921 (Top 5%)
(Math: 83% | Reading: 78%) - Ocotillo Ridge Elementary School
Rank: #139 of 1,921 (Top 5%)
(Math: 78% | Reading: 71%) - Corona Foothills Middle School
Rank: #316 of 1,921 (Top 10%)
(Math: 61% | Reading: 69%) - View Full List of Top-Ranked Vail, AZ Schools
Rank: #55.
24%
(18 out of 76)
(18 out of 76)
Rank: #66.
21%
(18 out of 86)
(18 out of 86)
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
